I'm going to be picking up a 4" S&W 686 later this week hopefully. The two main uses for the gun beyond target shooting will be home defense and carrying around the farm, so I need to find a good, comfortable open carry holster. I was thinking a basic well-made belt holster of some kind. The problem is I seem to get a little lightheaded whenever I look through all the choices out there. Any suggestions on a holster that I can wear all day and forget it's there?

If it makes any difference, I've got a pretty thin frame, 5'11" and ~140 lbs.

I like the Simply rugged Pancake holster. I have 2 of them. I have loaded pancake for a Redhawk 5.5" and a Plain Pancake for a Ruger SBH 4 5/8". I wear mine a lot and they are very comfortable. They hold the gun close to you and it is very secure. I ride/walk/hunt and fish with mine on and I have never had a problem.

I suggest a Bianchi 7L. It's a three slot pancake holster with a thumb break. It doesn't sit too high, yet is concealable if you need it to be. Mine has shown to be very rugged and comfortable while hunting.

I use a Bianchi 5BHL. It's lined, thumb snap retention and leaves the entire grip exposed for quick and easy purchase. The holster is designed so that the gun itself rides approximately centered on the belt, which I find keeps it from feeling like I have to pull the gun all the way to my armpit to clear the holster, but high enough so that it's out of the way for doing everyday things.

Thanks for all the replies guys. I've decided to give Simply Rugged's Flap Jack a try. It's a rare occasion that I'll be needing to actually draw and I like the extra protection from scratches it provides the grip.

This email link is to reach site administrators for assistance, if you cannot access TFL via other means. If you are a TFL member and can access TFL, please do not use this link; instead, use the forums (like Questions, Suggestions, and Tech Support) or PM an appropriate mod or admin.

If you are experiencing difficulties posting in the Buy/Sell/Trade subforums of TFL, please read the "sticky" announcement threads at the top of the applicable subforum. If you still feel you are qualified to post in those subforums, please contact "Shane Tuttle" (the mod for that portion of TFL) via Private Message for assistance.

This email contact address is not an "Ask the Firearms Expert" service. Such emails will be ignored. If you have a firearm related question, please register and post it on the forums.